This page is one of a
series devoted to postcards and photographs of the shipping and
piers at Harwich. This page gives a brief overview of the lifeboats,
lighthouses and Trinity House operations at Harwich. Harwich - Page 1 gives a brief overview of the
local ferries to Felixstowe and Shotley, plus the piers, and
excursion ships at Harwich. Harwich
- Page 2 covers
the continental ferry service from Harwich.

The first purpose built
lifeboat to be stationed at Harwich was a pulling and sailing
boat called Braybrooke. This boat, run by the Essex Lifeboat
Association was put on Station in 1821 and withdrawn in 1825.

In 1875 a meeting was
convened in Harwich after the loss of the German steamer Deutschland
with a view to establishing a Lifeboat Station. Following a further
wreck, the RNLI sent a lifeboat to Harwich without waiting for
the erection of a lifeboat house. This lifeboat was called Springwell
(1), was a self-righting type and 35ft in length, 9ft in
beam and crewed by 10 men. On the 20th January 1881 the Springwell
(1) launched to the aid of the Dutch vessel Ingered.
Seven lives were saved from the wreck, the coxswain and crew
were awarded medals by the Dutch Government. Unfortunately it
turned over in 1881 with the loss of one crew member. It was
immediately replaced by another boat of the same but 10 ft longer.
The crew looked upon both of these early self-righters with some
suspicion, as they were not very stable in rough weather. The
Springwell (2) served at Harwich until 1902. Following
the Springwells was a 43ft Watson class lifeboat called
Anne Fawcett. This boat stayed at Harwich until
the No.1 Station closed in 1912.

In 1890 a second Harwich
Lifeboat Station was opened. The first boat was called the Duke
of Northumberland and was built in 1889. This was the first
ever steam lifeboat and was a revolutionary design. Water was
drawn in through the hull and forced out at great pressure through
the vents in the side of the boat. During its short stay at Harwich
it was moored afloat near Halfpenny Pier. This boat was transferred
to Holyhead in 1892. Replacing the Duke of Northumberland
was the new lifeboat City of Glasgow (1). Built of the
same design but 2ft longer. On 7th April 1908 this lifeboat went
to the assistance of the schooner Notre Dame des Toutes Aides
and in recognition of this rescue, the Hospitaliers Sauveteurs
Bretons bestowed 11 medals on the Coxswain and crew. The City
of Glasgow remained at Harwich until 1901 when it was sold
out of service. The RNLI replaced this lifeboat with another
of the same name. The City
of Glasgow (2)
was 55ft long and was also steam driven. This boat stayed at
Harwich until 1917 when the Station was closed due to the Admiralty
requisitioning the steam tug which assisted the Lifeboats during
services.

With the increase in sailing
boats in the River Stour & River Orwell, the RNLI reopened
the Harwich Lifeboat Station in 1965. A 16ft inshore rescue boat
was placed on station, which was partly financed from a local
fund. In 1966 the RNLI Committee of Management reviewed the East
Coast lifeboat requirement and decided to place a 44ft Waveny
class lifeboat at Harwich for a two-year trial period. The inshore
lifeboat also remained to cover the estuary.

In September 1967 the
Waveny class lifeboat built by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft took
up station at Harwich. The naming ceremony and service of dedication
was held on September 27th at Trinity Pier, Harwich. The lifeboat
44-005 was named Margaret
Graham and
was the gift from an anonymous donor.

Due to the excellent work
of the 16ft inshore lifeboat, the RNLI decided to replace this
craft with a fast 21ft boat of the Atlantic class. On the 27th
May 1978 this lifeboat was dedicated and handed over to the care
of the Harwich Station. This boat was also an anonymous gift.
This Atlantic 21 had no name and was referred to by its boat
number B526, and had previously been in the RNLI relief
fleet and used at other stations.

1980 saw the replacement
of the Margaret
Graham by a
similar Waveny class lifeboat. On 26th July the lifeboat was
dedicated and named John
Fison. In addition
to monies donated by the Fison family other donations and trusts
contributed to the total cost.

A new inshore lifeboat
replaced the aging Atlantic 21 B526 on 30th October 1987.
This Lifeboat B571 was funded by the British Sub Aqua
Club and is named British Diver II.

The number of persons
in distress at sea and requiring the services of the Harwich
lifeboats is ever increasing with annual launches of about 90
a year. Because of the demand of the Harwich lifeboats and its
vast area of coverage, the RNLI decided to allocate the first
Severn class lifeboat in England to Harwich. This has a speed
of 25 knots and is capable of responding to major marine accidents
where many lives may be at risk. The Severn class allocated to
Harwich is 17-03 and was named Albert Brownon
25th May 1997 after a bequest from the late Victoria Masie Brown.

Anne Fawcett & City
of Glasgow (2)

Postcard
of lifeboats alongside the Halfpenny Pier at Harwich.

Chatham
class cruiser in the background

The
sailing lifeboat (front) is the Anne Fawcett, whilst the
steam-powered City of Glasgow (2) is behind.